Sense amp activation according to word line common point

ABSTRACT

Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with controlling when a sense amplifier is activated are described. In one embodiment, a device includes detection logic connected to a plurality of word lines in a memory and configured to generate a signal upon detecting one of the plurality of word lines being activated. The device includes a sense amplifier configured to read a value from a bit line associated with an activated word line of the plurality of word lines upon receiving the signal.

BACKGROUND

Electronic memory permits a device to store and retrieve data. Onedifficulty with retrieving data in an electronic memory is a delay thatoccurs between requesting the data and when the data is available. Thedelay may be caused by one or more components/steps in reading from theelectronic memory. For example, in a solid state memory such as a randomaccess memory (RAM), one source of the delay is a predefined margin oftime between activating a bit line associated with a memory cell andenabling a sense amplifier to read a value from the bit line.

The predefined margin is an amount of time built into a signal path thatdelays activating the sense amplifier. The purpose of the predefinedmargin is to provide time for the bit line to achieve a voltage that canbe sensed by the sense amplifier prior to the sense amplifier beingactivated. Without the predefined margin, the sense amplifier mayactivate before the bit line has reached a correct voltage, therebycausing incorrect readings by the sense amplifier. Accordingly, thepredefined margin ensures that the sense amplifier is not enabled untila value provided on the bit line is ready to be read.

The predefined margin is a function of timing variation that exists incircuitry between a common connection point and the bit line. The commonconnection point is a location within circuitry of the memory where asignal diverges and is provided to the memory cell and is also providedto the sense amplifier. Accounting for the timing variations adds to thepredefined margin as a number of components between the commonconnection point and the memory cell grows. Accordingly, the predefinedmargin can cause additional delays when retrieving data from the memory.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate various systems, methods, andother embodiments of the disclosure. It will be appreciated that theillustrated element boundaries (e.g., boxes, groups of boxes, or othershapes) in the figures represent one embodiment of the boundaries. Insome embodiments, one element may be designed as multiple elements orthat multiple elements may be designed as one element. In someembodiments, an element shown as an internal component of anotherelement may be implemented as an external component and vice versa.Furthermore, elements may not be drawn to scale.

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a memory associated withcontrolling when a sense amplifier is activated.

FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a timing diagram associated withthe memory of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of a memory associated withcontrolling a sense amplifier to activate according to a signal from aword line.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a method associated with improvingaccess times to a memory.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of a memory associated withcontrolling a sense amplifier to activate according to a signal from aword line.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Systems, methods and other embodiments are described herein associatedwith controlling when a sense amplifier is activated. In one embodiment,access times to a memory are improved by changing from where in thememory an activation signal is provided to the sense amplifier. In oneembodiment, the sense amplifier receives the activation signal from acommon connection point on word lines (e.g., point is common to thesense amplifier and the memory cells). By configuring a memory circuitto have the common connection point proximate to memory cells, apredefined margin between activating a bit line and activating the senseamplifier can be reduced.

With reference to FIG. 1, one embodiment of a memory 100 associated withcontrolling when a sense amplifier is activated is illustrated. Thememory 100 includes control logic 110, word line drivers 120, detectionlogic 130, memory cells 140, a sense amplifier 150 and word lines 190.The memory 100 is illustrated with components 110, 120, 130, 140 and 150for purposes of explanation, of course, the memory 100 may includeadditional components that are not illustrated.

Additionally, while connections between the control logic 110, the wordline drivers 120, the detection logic 140 and the memory cells 140 areillustrated as being serial connections in a single line, and the wordline drivers 120 are illustrated as a separate component, it should beappreciated that the word lines 190 may span from the control logic 110to the memory cells 140 and include multiple signal lines. The wordlines 120 are illustrated as a single line in FIG. 1 for purposes ofsimplifying this discussion.

In one embodiment, the memory circuit is configured with detection logic130 that detects when a word line is activated and provides anactivation signal to the sense amplifier 150 (e.g., a sense amplifierenable signal). The detection logic 130 implements a common connectionpoint for the sense amplifier 150 that connects to the word lines 190 atan output of the word line drivers 120. The common connection point isplaced in the memory circuit along a path of the activation signal toreduce a number of components (e.g., logic gates, etc.) between thecommon connection point and the memory cells 140. The detection logic130 is configured to detect the activation of word lines 190 at alocation in the word lines 190 that is proximate (i.e., just before aninput) to the memory cells 140. Accordingly, the detection logic 130 isconfigured with connections to the word lines 190 that output signalsfrom the word lines 190 to the sense amplifier 150 via signal path 170.Thus, the common connection points to the word lines 190 at thedetection logic 130 are common to the sense amplifier 150 and the memorycells 140. In one embodiment, the common connection points are pointsfrom which an input is commonly shared between the memory cells 140 andthe sense amplifier 150.

Placing the common connection point in this manner avoids additionaltiming variations caused by having a multiplicity of components withinthe circuitry that may exist along a subsequent signal path leading tothe memory cells 140. For example, the detection logic 130 is connectedto the word lines 190 in-between the memory cells 140 and the word linedrivers 120, instead of at a more distant location on a read enable lineor other point at the control logic 110. Thus, the number of componentsthat intervene between the common connection point (i.e., from thedetection logic 130) and the memory cells 140 is reduced. As a result,less timing variation exists along a circuit path between the memorycells 140 and the detection logic 130.

In one embodiment, the common connection point is implemented within thedetection logic 130 as a single logic gate attached/connected to each ofthe word lines 190 (e.g., one gate for one word line) after the wordline drivers 120 (e.g., at an output of the word line drivers 120). Alogic gate is activated when an associated one of the word lines 190transitions to an active state. Thus, the logic gate in the detectionlogic 130 detects the signal on the word line 190 that the logic gate isconnected to. In one embodiment, each logic gate is configured to causethe signal to be “split” or routed along two separate circuit paths inthe memory 100. A first path 160 is a remaining portion of the activatedword line that is connected to a row of the memory cells 140. A secondpath 170 connects the word lines 190 to the sense amplifier 150 andprovides the signal from the word lines 190 to the sense amplifier 150when the logic gate in the detection logic 130 detects the signal on theword line. The signal paths will be discussed in more detail withreference to FIG. 3.

Thus, the first path 160 to the memory cell is shorter than if thedetection logic 130 were connected from the control logic 110.Accordingly, timing variation that may be present along the first path160 is reduced since fewer components that contribute to the timingvariation are present between the detection logic 130 and the memorycells 140. Because of the reduced timing variation and the proximatecommon connection point, the timing delay to activate the senseamplifier 150 is less/reduced and thus the predefined margin is reduced.In this way, providing the common connection point on the word linepermits the sense amplifier 150 to be activated at a time closer to whenthe bit line BL provides a value that can be sensed by the senseamplifier 150.

The following discussion of FIG. 1 and the memory 100 provides anexample by following a path of signals through the memory 100 that aregenerated in response to a memory request.

A path through the memory 100 begins with the control logic 110. In oneembodiment, the control logic 110 is configured with one or more inputs180 to accept memory requests. The control logic 110 is connected to asystem bus of a computing system, a processor or some other componentthat provides the memory requests. For purposes of this discussion, thememory requests are discussed as being requests to read from the memorycells 140. Of course, the control logic 110 may also receive requests towrite to the memory cells 140.

In general, a memory request includes an address that correlates withone or more of the memory cells 140. In one embodiment, the controllogic 110 provides a signal on a word line that correlates with theaddress from the memory request. By providing the signal on the wordline, the control logic 110 activates a word line driver associated withthe word line and initiates the read operation. Of course, in variousembodiments, other signals may be provided by the control logic 110 thatin combination with the signal on the activated word line serve toactivate the memory cell. However, for purposes of this discussion, onlythe signal on the activated word line will be discussed.

Thus, the control logic 110 provides the signal on one of the word lines120 in response to the memory request. In one embodiment, the word lines190 are a plurality of rows of connecting circuitry (e.g., logic gatesand wire) that correlate with different rows of the memory cells 140. Ingeneral, the word lines 190 provide signals between the control logic110 and the memory cells 140 to activate the different rows of thememory cells 140.

Because the word line drivers 120 may include various logic gates and/orother components that have an intrinsic timing variation, each of theword line drivers 120 may have an associated timing variation. Thetiming variation is a difference in time for a signal to propagatethrough a component under different environmental conditions or throughtwo identical components with slightly varied manufacturingcharacteristics. In general, a time for a signal to propagate through aseries of logic gates/components may vary depending on differentconditions that include both environmental conditions and manufacturingcharacteristics. Thus, the timing variations are accounted for whentiming of signals through a circuit may affect operation. In general,timing variations are accounted for by delaying signals using timingmargins that ensure signals do not arrive at components out-of-order andcause timing errors.

To avoid timing variation and building additional delays into a circuitpath, the detection logic 130 is connected to the word lines 190proximate to the memory cells 140. In one embodiment, the detectionlogic 130 is connected at the common connection point at a location thatis at an output of (downstream from/after) a series of logic gates inthe word line drivers 120. The detection logic 130 is located at thecommon connection point to reduce a number of components along twosubsequent parallel paths 160 and 170. The two parallel paths 160 and170 originate at the common connection point and provide the signal todifferent components. Timing of when the signals arrive at the differentcomponents is timing sensitive and occurs according to when the signalsinitially arrive at the common connection point.

As an example, suppose that the common connection point was located on aread enable line between the control logic 110 and the word line drivers120. In such an example, the detection logic 130 would “split” thesignal into the two parallel paths just after the control logic 110.Consequently, a first path would include nearly an entire section of theword line drivers 120 and components within the word line drivers 120.Thus, the example first path would include more components than arepresent in the first path 160 when placing the detection logic 130 asillustrated in FIG. 1. Accordingly, timing variation within the firstpath 160 is reduced in comparison to the example first path that beginsfurther from the memory cells 140.

Accordingly, the detection logic 130 is placed proximate to the memorycells 140 to reduce the timing variation in the first path 160. In thisway, the signal from the control logic 110 arrives at the detectionlogic 130 after having already propagated along the activated word line.Thus, accounting for timing variation in the circuitry of the word lines120 can be avoided.

In one embodiment, the detection logic 130 is configured to generate asignal upon detecting that one of the word lines 190 is activated by asignal from the control logic 110. For example, when the signal providedby the control logic 110 propagates to the detection logic 130, thedetection logic 130 generates a sense amplifier enable (SAEN) signalfrom the detected signal. Accordingly, the detection logic 130effectively “splits” the signal along two separate paths. The first path160 is the word line connecting to the memory cell. The second path 170connects to the sense amplifier 150 to provide the SAEN signal.

When the signal propagates past the detection logic 130 along the firstpath 160, one of the memory cells 140 associated with the activated wordline receives the signal. When activated, a memory cell provides astored value on a bit line (BL) and/or bit line bar (BLB) signal path.However, the activated memory cell does not instantaneously provide thevalues. Rather, the bit line changes to the value over a period of time.Thus, the value is not represented on the bit line until the bit linereaches a threshold value that can be read by the sense amplifier 150.

Accordingly, if the sense amplifier 150 is activated by the sense ampenable (SAEN) signal prior to the bit line reaching the threshold value,then the sense amplifier 150 will not correctly read the value from thebit line. Consequently, the second path 170 is configured with one ormore components (e.g., logic gates) that delay the signal. In this way,the sense amplifier 150 is not activated until after a predefined marginof time from when the bit line should provide the value at the thresholdvoltage.

In general, the predefined margin is an amount of time for delaying theSAEN signal that ensures the bit line has reached the threshold valueprior to the sense amplifier 150 being enabled. Because the first path160 includes only a few components, an amount of timing variation thatis accounted for is improved. Thus, the predefined margin can be reducedand the sense amplifier 150 can be controlled to activate at a time thatis proximate to when the memory value is available on the bit line (BL).

With reference to FIG. 2, one example of a timing diagram 200 for thememory 100 of FIG. 1 is illustrated. The timing diagram 200 illustratesa clock signal, a word line (WL) signal at a common connection point210, a bit line/bit line bar (BL/BLB) signal and a sense enable (SAEN)signal. The clock signal is a signal that provides timing for the memory100 and controls, for example, the control logic 110 to issue newcommands. The word line signal illustrates behavior of a selected wordline when reading from a memory cell associated with the word line.

Accordingly, as a signal is provided on the word line and the word linetransitions to an active state at the common connection point 210, thesignal is then propagated along the first path 160 (e.g., BL/BLB) andthe second path 170 (SAEN) as illustrated. Thus, the bit line signal BLillustrates how the bit line transitions from being inactive to activealong a ramp. That is, the value from the memory cell is not immediatelyavailable on the bit line. Instead, the value isn't available untilvalid point 220 where the bit line signal exceeds the threshold value.

However, because of timing delays built into the second path 170, thesense enable signal (SAEN) does not activate the sense amplifier 150until a predefined margin 230 after the valid point 220 where the valueof the bit line is finally valid. In general, the predefined margin is15% or more than a time from the common point 210 to the point 220 wherethe bit line provides a valid value. Consider equation 1.

$\begin{matrix}{{\frac{{d\; 2} - {d\; 1}}{{d\; 2} + {d\; 1}}*100} > {15\%}} & {{Equation}\mspace{14mu}(1)}\end{matrix}$

Equation 1 represents how delay is configured into the second path 170and thus how the predefined margin is determined. In equation 1, d2represents a time for a signal to propagate from the common point 210 toactivate the sense amplifier 150. d1 represents a time between thecommon point 210 and the valid point 220 of the value on the bit line.In general, a value of d2 is determined so that equation 1 is greaterthan 15%.

For example, a time for a signal to propagate through the first path 160and for the bit line to achieve the valid point 220 is known and is usedas the value of d1. The value of d2 is selected to satisfy equation 1.Thus, as the value of d1 increases the value of d2 and thus thepredefined margin 230 also increases in order to satisfy equation 1.

Suppose that d1=20 picoseconds (ps). In this example, d2 would need tobe 27 ps to satisfy equation 1.

${\frac{27 - 20}{27 + 20}*100} > {15\%}$

Furthermore, the predefined margin 230 is 7 ps in this example.Accordingly, the previous example illustrates timing similar to that ofthe memory 100 and as illustrated in FIG. 2.

By contrast, now suppose that the common point 210 is at the leadingedge of the clock signal. That is, a point at which the signal from thecontrol logic 110 of FIG. 1 diverges into the two parallel paths isconnected to the clock signal instead of the word line. Thus, the commonconnection point in this example may be connected at the control logic110 before the word line drivers 120. Suppose that for this exampled1=120 ps.

${\frac{162 - 120}{162 + 120}*100} > {15\%}$

Accordingly, d2 would be at least 162 ps to satisfy the equation. Thepredefined margin 230 in this example would be 42 ps, which is six timesthat of the previous example. Thus, in comparison to the commonconnection point 220 of FIG. 2, the predefined margin is larger toaccount for additional timing variation from additional componentswithin the path of the signal.

With reference to FIG. 3, further aspects of configuring a memory toimprove the predefined margin will be discussed along with a memory 300.The memory 300 includes components similar to those of the memory 100 ofFIG. 1. For example, the memory 300 includes a control logic 310, wordlines 320, detection logic 330, memory cells 340 and a sense amplifier350. In one embodiment, the memory 300 is a static random access memory(SRAM) or other memory that is configured with a sense amplifier 350.The memory 300 is illustrated with additional details, such as logicgates that are word line drivers 360, detection gates 370 and a delaygate 380. The memory 300 may also include a precharge_n gate 390.Additionally, as used in FIG. 3, a series of three dots indicate anabbreviation of components. That is, additional components may bepresent but have not been illustrated for purposes of brevity.

The word line drivers 360 illustrate a general configuration ofcomponents within individual word lines of the word lines 320. The wordline drivers 360 illustrate how moving the common connection point andthe detection logic 330 causes a greater number of components tointervene between the common connection point and the memory cells 340thereby adding to timing variation when accounting for the predefinedmargin. That is, the detection logic 330 is connected at an output ofthe word line drivers 360 and commonly provides signals to inputs ofboth the memory cells 340 and the sense amplifier 350.

Additionally, the detection logic 330 is illustrated with the detectiongates 370 and the delay gate 380. In one embodiment, the detection logic330 includes a logic gate connected to each of the word lines 320 (e.g.,a one-to-one relationship) to detect when one of the word lines 320transitions to an active state. When one of the detection gates 370detects a transition, a signal is generated and provided to the senseamplifier 350. However, before reaching the sense amplifier 350, thesignal from the detection gates 370 is delayed by passing through thedelay gate 380. In this way, the detection logic 330 is configured todelay the signal for activating the sense amplifier 350 and to ensurethe predefined margin is maintained. Additionally, because the detectionlogic 330 is proximate to the memory cells 340, the detection logic 330includes only the single delay gate 380 instead of a plurality of delaygates that would be necessary if the detection logic was connected at,for example, the control logic 310. In one embodiment, the precharge_ngate 390 is a PMOS gate that will precharge lines to VDD before andafter word line activation. The precharge_n gate 390 may be shared witha precharge signal for bit line (BL).

Additional aspects of improving memory access times will be discussedwith reference to FIG. 4 and method 400. Method 400 will be discussedfrom the perspective of the memory 100 of FIG. 1.

In one embodiment, method 400 begins, at 410, when a memory request isreceived. In one embodiment, the control logic 110 receives the memoryrequest and determines an address specified by the memory request. Thememory request may be comprised of several different signals that arereceived by the control logic 110. For example, the memory request mayinclude a read enable signal to specify that the request is to read frommemory and not write to the memory. Additionally, the memory requestincludes one or more signals that specify an address of a memorylocation (e.g., memory cell) that is to be read from. Part of theaddress may specify a word line associated with the memory location.

Accordingly, at 420, a word line associated with the memory request isactivated. In one embodiment, an activation signal is provided on thecorresponding word line. That is, to activate the word line the controllogic 110 sends a signal along the word line. The word line is one of aplurality of word lines. Each of the plurality of word lines areassociated with, for example, a row of memory cells. Accordingly, thesignal propagates down the word line via various components (e.g., logicgates) that makeup the word line.

Once the signal reaches a common connection point on the word line, thesignal is provided in two separate directions in the memory circuit.That is, the signal from the word line is split from a common connectionpoint (e.g., the detection logic 130) (see method blocks 430 and 440).The common connection point connects the signal from the word line tothe sense amplifier 150 (block 430) and to the memory cells 140 foractivating a bit line (block 440).

In one embodiment, the common connection point is a logic gate that isconnected to the word line. When the word line transitions from aninactive state to an active state at the logic gate, the logic gate isactivated and provides the signal to the sense amplifier. Furthermore,while the logic gate provides the signal to the sense amplifier, thesignal also continues along the word line to a memory cell.

Accordingly, at 440, a bit line associated with the memory cell isactivated simultaneously with the signal being provided to the senseamplifier at 430. While 430 and 440 are discussed as occurringsimultaneously, of course, slight delays between the bit line beingactivated and the sense amplifier being activated are present. Asdiscussed previously with FIG. 2, the delay is the predefined margin 230that ensures the bit line has achieved a correct voltage before thesense amplifier is activated.

At 450, when the sense amplifier is active, a value is read from the bitline. Subsequently, at 460, the value is provided in response to thememory request.

With reference to FIG. 5, further aspects of configuring a memory toimprove the predefined margin will be discussed along with a memory 500.The memory 500 includes components similar to those of the memory 300 ofFIG. 3. For example, the memory 500 includes a control logic 510, wordlines 520, detection logic 530, memory cells 540 and a sense amplifier550. In one embodiment, the memory 500 is a static random access memory(SRAM) or other memory that is configured with a sense amplifier 550.The memory 500 is illustrated with additional details, such as logicgates that are word line drivers 560, detection gates 570 and a delaygate 580. In one embodiment, the delay gate 580 is a NAND gate. Thememory 500 may also include precharge_n gates 590. Additionally, as usedin FIG. 5, a series of three dots indicate an abbreviation ofcomponents. That is, additional components may be present but have notbeen illustrated for purposes of brevity.

The word line drivers 560 illustrate a general configuration ofcomponents within individual word lines of the word lines 520. The wordline drivers 560 illustrate how moving the common connection point andthe detection logic 530 causes a greater number of components tointervene between the common connection point and the memory cells 540thereby adding to timing variation when accounting for the predefinedmargin.

Additionally, the detection logic 530 is illustrated with the detectiongates 570 and the delay gate 580. In one embodiment, the detection logic530 includes a logic gate connected to each of the word lines 520 (e.g.,a one-to-one relationship) to detect when one of the word lines 520transitions to an active state. When one of the detection gates 570detects a transition, a signal is generated and provided to the senseamplifier 550. However, before reaching the sense amplifier 550, thesignal from the detection gates 570 is delayed by passing through thedelay gate 580. In this way, the detection logic 530 is configured todelay the signal for activating the sense amplifier 550 and to ensurethe predefined margin is maintained. Additionally, because the detectionlogic 530 is proximate to the memory cells 540, the detection logic 530includes only the single delay gate 580 instead of a plurality of delaygates that would be necessary if the detection logic was connected at,for example, the control logic 510. In one embodiment, the precharge_ngates 590 are PMOS gates that will precharge lines to VDD before andafter word line activation. The precharge_n gates 590 may be shared witha precharge signal for bit line (BL).

In another embodiment, the described methods and/or their equivalentsmay be implemented with computer executable instructions. Thus, in oneembodiment, a non-transitory computer storage medium is configured withstored computer executable instructions that when executed by a machine(e.g., processor, computer, and so on) cause the machine (and/orassociated components) to perform the method.

While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the illustratedmethodologies in the figures are shown and described as a series ofblocks, it is to be appreciated that the methodologies are not limitedby the order of the blocks, as some blocks can occur in different ordersand/or concurrently with other blocks from that shown and described.Moreover, less than all the illustrated blocks may be used to implementan example methodology. Blocks may be combined or separated intomultiple components. Furthermore, additional and/or alternativemethodologies can employ additional actions that are not illustrated inblocks. The methods described herein are limited to statutory subjectmatter under 35 U.S.C §101.

The following includes definitions of selected terms employed herein.The definitions include various examples and/or forms of components thatfall within the scope of a term and that may be used for implementation.The examples are not intended to be limiting. Both singular and pluralforms of terms may be within the definitions.

References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “one example”, “anexample”, and so on, indicate that the embodiment(s) or example(s) sodescribed may include a particular feature, structure, characteristic,property, element, or limitation, but that not every embodiment orexample necessarily includes that particular feature, structure,characteristic, property, element or limitation. Furthermore, repeateduse of the phrase “in one embodiment” does not necessarily refer to thesame embodiment, though it may.

ASIC: application specific integrated circuit.

RAM: random access memory.

DRAM: dynamic RAM.

SRAM: synchronous RAM.

PROM: programmable ROM.

EPROM: erasable PROM.

EEPROM: electrically erasable PROM.

“Computer storage medium”, as used herein, is a non-transitory mediumthat stores instructions and/or data. A computer storage medium may takeforms, including, but not limited to, non-volatile media, and volatilemedia. Non-volatile media may include, for example, optical disks,magnetic disks, and so on. Volatile media may include, for example,semiconductor memories, dynamic memory, and so on. Common forms of acomputer storage media may include, but are not limited to, a floppydisk, a flexible disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape, other magneticmedium, an ASIC, a CD, other optical medium, a RAM, a ROM, a memory chipor card, a memory stick, and other electronic media that can storecomputer instructions and/or data. Computer storage media describedherein are limited to statutory subject matter under 35 U.S.C §101.

“Logic”, as used herein, includes a computer or electrical hardwarecomponent(s), firmware, a non-transitory computer storage medium thatstores instructions, and/or combinations of these components configuredto perform a function(s) or an action(s), and/or to cause a function oraction from another logic, method, and/or system. Logic may include amicroprocessor controlled by an algorithm, a discrete logic (e.g.,ASIC), an analog circuit, a digital circuit, a programmed logic device,a memory device containing instructions that when executed perform analgorithm, and so on. Logic may include one or more gates, combinationsof gates, or other circuit components. Where multiple logics aredescribed, it may be possible to incorporate the multiple logics intoone physical logic component. Similarly, where a single logic unit isdescribed, it may be possible to distribute that single logic unitbetween multiple physical logic components. Logic as described herein islimited to statutory subject matter under 35 U.S.C §101.

An “operable connection”, or a connection by which entities are“operably connected”, is one in which signals, physical communications,and/or logical communications may be sent and/or received. An operableconnection may include a physical interface, an electrical interface,and/or a data interface. An operable connection may include differingcombinations of interfaces and/or connections sufficient to allowoperable control. For example, two entities can be operably connected tocommunicate signals to each other directly or through one or moreintermediate entities (e.g., processor, operating system, logic,non-transitory computer-readable medium). Logical and/or physicalcommunication channels can be used to create an operable connection.

While example systems, methods, and so on have been illustrated bydescribing examples, and while the examples have been described inconsiderable detail, it is not the intention of the applicants torestrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to suchdetail. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivablecombination of components or methodologies for purposes of describingthe systems, methods, and so on described herein. Therefore, thedisclosure is not limited to the specific details, the representativeapparatus, and illustrative examples shown and described. Thus, thisdisclosure is intended to embrace alterations, modifications, andvariations that fall within the scope of the appended claims, whichsatisfy the statutory subject matter requirements of 35 U.S.C. §101.

To the extent that the term “includes” or “including” is employed in thedetailed description or the claims, it is intended to be inclusive in amanner similar to the term “comprising” as that term is interpreted whenemployed as a transitional word in a claim.

To the extent that the term “or” is used in the detailed description orclaims (e.g., A or B) it is intended to mean “A or B or both”. When theapplicants intend to indicate “only A or B but not both” then the phrase“only A or B but not both” will be used. Thus, use of the term “or”herein is the inclusive, and not the exclusive use.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device, comprising: detection logic connectedto a plurality of word lines in a memory and configured to generate asignal upon detecting one of the plurality of word lines beingactivated; and a sense amplifier configured to read a value from a bitline associated with an activated word line of the plurality of wordlines upon receiving the signal from the detection logic, wherein thedetection logic is configured to generate the signal from a commonconnection point with the plurality of word lines that reduces a marginof time between the bit line being activated and the sense amplifierbeing enabled.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the bit line isactivated when a memory cell associated with the bit line is activatedby the activated word line, and wherein the common connection pointincludes at least one logic gate connected to one of the plurality ofword lines.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the common connectionpoint is located on the plurality of word lines after a plurality oflogic gates connected in series along the plurality of word lines andprior to a plurality of memory cells in the memory, wherein thedetection logic is configured to use the common connection point todetermine when one of the plurality of word lines transitions to anactive state, and to generate the signal when one of the plurality ofword lines transitions to the active state.
 4. The device of claim 1,wherein the detection logic is configured to generate the signal bydetecting a transition of one of the plurality of word lines from aninactive state to an active state.
 5. The device of claim 1, furthercomprising: control logic configured to receive a memory request and toactivate one of the plurality of word lines associated with an addressin the memory request, wherein the plurality of word lines correlatewith rows of memory cells.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein thedetection logic is configured to generate the signal by detecting atransition of one of the plurality of word lines at the commonconnection point along the plurality of word lines, wherein the commonconnection point is a connection on the plurality of word lines thatroutes a signal to the sense amplifier and to a memory cell thatprovides a value on the bit line.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein thedevice is a static random-access memory (SRAM).
 8. A method, comprising:activating, in a memory, a word line associated with an address from amemory request; and providing, from a common connection point on theword line, an activation signal to (i) a memory cell and (ii) a senseamplifier based, at least in part, on the common connection pointtransitioning from an inactive state to an active state, whereinproviding the activation signal to the memory cell activates a bit lineassociated with the memory cell, wherein providing the activation signalfrom the common connection point reduces a margin of time betweenactivating the bit line and activating sense amplifier.
 9. The method ofclaim 8, wherein providing the activation signal from the commonconnection point simultaneously provides the activation signal to thesense amplifier and the memory cell.
 10. The method of claim 8, furthercomprising: receiving, prior to activating the word line, a request toaccess the memory that includes an address of the memory cell; andreading, by the sense amplifier, a value from the bit line that isstored in the memory cell upon the sense amplifier being activated inresponse to the activation signal from the common connection point. 11.The method of claim 8, wherein providing the activation signal to thememory cell includes activating the word line that is associated with arow of memory cells that includes the memory cell.
 12. The method ofclaim 8, wherein providing the signal occurs upon the word linetransitioning from an inactive state to an active state at the commonconnection point.
 13. The method of claim 8, wherein providing theactivation signal to the sense amplifiers activates the sense amplifiercausing the sense amplifier to read a value from the bit line.
 14. Amemory, comprising: a plurality of word lines connected to a controllerand connected to a plurality of memory cells; a detection logicconnected to the plurality of word lines and configured to generate anactivation signal upon detecting one of the plurality of word linestransitioning from an inactive state to an active state; and a senseamplifier connected to the detection logic and connected to theplurality of memory cells via a bit line, wherein a common connectionpoint is a circuit connection from which the activation signal isprovided to the sense amplifier to reduce a margin of time betweenactivating the sense amplifier and the bit line.
 15. The memory of claim14, wherein the plurality of word lines include a plurality of logicgates connected in series, and wherein the detection logic is connectedto the plurality of word lines at a location that is after the pluralityof logic gates and prior to the plurality of memory cells.
 16. Thememory of claim 14, wherein the detection logic is configured to providethe activation signal to the sense amplifier to activate the senseamplifier, and wherein the sense amplifier is configured to read a valuefrom the bit line in response to receiving the activation signal. 17.The memory of claim 14, wherein the detection logic is connected to theplurality of word lines at the common connection point that is alocation that is after one or more logic gates.
 18. The memory of claim14, wherein the plurality of memory cells include rows of memory cellsthat are each connected to one of the plurality of word lines.
 19. Thememory of claim 14, wherein the controller is configured with inputs toreceive a clock signal, a memory address and a read enable signal, andwherein the memory is a static random access memory (SRAM).